Degree student embracing a false god (4)
I believe the answer is:
baal
'false god' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'degree student embracing a' is the wordplay.
'degree' becomes 'ba' (Bachelor of Arts**).
'student' becomes 'l' (as in L-plates for learner drivers).
'embracing' indicates putting letters inside.
'ba'+'l'='bal'
'bal' enclosing 'a' is 'BAAL'.
(Other definitions for baal that I've seen before include "Hellish idol" , "God of the Phoenicians" , "God Elijah defeated" , "Canaanite fertility god" , "God of the Canaanites" .)